Gas-bench.



W. G. LAIRD & G. R. SHIELDS.

GAS BENCH. APPLICATION FILED Nov-23.1914.

Patented July 20, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANOURAPM Cm. WASHINGTON, D. :4

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented July 20, 1915.

GAS BENCH.

9 z z m M v d w R M w a 9 j I a m T Z M HH o 10 m Q. a w W 4 w m w m lvw m" W. G. LAIRD & G. R. SHIELDS.

APPLICATION TILED NOV-23,1914.

W. G. LAIRD & G. R. SHIELDS.

GAS BENCH.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 23, I944.

SHEET 3.

July HEETS- Patented 96 72 Jada AS AIhl \VILBUR Gr. LAIRID, OF NEW YORK,N. Y., AND GEORGE R. SHIELDS, OF DETROIT, MICHI- GAIN, ASSIGNOBS TO THEIMPROVED EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,

A CORPORATION OF COLORADO.

GAS-BEhTGI-I.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 20, 1915.

Application filed November 23, 1914. Serial No. 873,608.

and GEORGE It. SHIELDS, citizens of the United States, residing,respectively, at New York, in the county and State of New York, andDetroit, in the county of Wayne and State of lllichigan, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Gas- Benches, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to gas benches; and it comprises a gas bench ofmasonry or the like, carrying one or more gas retorts and provided withretaining bars of steel, iron or other metal crossing the front of thegas bench, such bars advantageously having their forward face flush withthe outer face of the brickwork, said bars being maintained in place bybuckbars or equivalent elements along the face of the bench and saidretorts being provided with end elements carrying a plurality oflaterally projecting lugs, certain of said lugs being in engagement,direct or indirect, with the rear face of said retaining bars andcertain others being in engagement with the masonry, the lug-formingelements also advantageously serving as anchor elements for boltssupporting the door frames or mouthpieces on said retorts; all as morefully hereinafter set forth and as claimed.

In building gas benches for the manufacture of illuminating gas fromcoal, and particularly where composite built up retorts of silica orsilicious material are employed, it is the custom to use a clayextension or end section for each retort, carrying a mouthpiece for suchretort. Where the retort is integral and no extension is used themouthpiece is secured directly to the end of the retort itself. Thesemouthpieces are of iron and are quite heavy, so that they exercise agreat strain on the retort to which they are necessarily fastened with atight joint. The weight of the mouthpiece being beyond the front wall itexercises a tilting strain on the retort. Ordinarily, the mouthpiece. isbolted to the end of the retort or to the extension by bolts passinginwardly through longitudinal orifices to a lateral recess in which is aretaining element engaging the bolt end.

Sometimes the end of the retort carries a Special collar supporting themouthpiece.

Aside from the strain on the retort caused by the mouthpiece, in theoperation of a gas bench the front walls, and in the case of throughretorts, both the front and back walls, are exposed to considerablestrains; and particularly so since there is a great difference intemperature between the inner and outer faces of such a wall. Further,the retorts tend to lengthen or shorten more or less with changes intemperature. And a wall having retorts passing through it is not astrong wall. It is difficult to provide a structure in which the masonryof the front wall of the gas bench is permanent and of long life.

It is an object of the present invention to strengthen the wall andprovide simple and effective means for locking the ends or mouthpiecesof the retorts with such wall, making a stronger structure of the Whole.In so looking the end elements locking is above as well as below theretort thereby obviating the tilting strain of the mouthpiece on theretort.

In the present invention we have therefore rearranged the structure ofthe front of the gas bench in such a manner as to provide the endelements of the retort with anchor elements. Some of these anchor ele-.ments may be utilized for direct engagement with the masonry. Inaddition, the wall is provided with certain retaining bars or memberssupporting, and supported by, the wall and engaging directly orindirectly with these anchor elements. These bars may be horizontal, orvertical or at any desired angle; but are hereinafter described ashorizontal. While the bars may be of another section, they areadvantageously flat. These bars are advantageously built in with themasonry so that their outer face is flush therewith and as the brickworklying against their upper and lower faces prevents deformation they havea high degree of rigidity for a comparatively light weight of metal.They are held in position against forward displacement by suitableengagement with the vertical buckbars on the face of the gas bench,passing behind them, for example.

These retaining bars, through the anchor elements, take the forwardthrust of the retorts and also serve to resist the tilting and twistingstresses given by the weight of the,

mouthpieces.

In providing the anchor elements for the retort, we may mold orotherwise provide it with the usual longitudinal orifices or bolt holesin the end, or in the end element where thisis separate from the retortproper, these bolt holes serving for the bolts retaining the mouthpiece.At the rear end of the bolt holes there may be lateral recesses topermit the insertion of a threaded metal retaining member engaging theend of the bolt. To thisthreaded retaining member we give anotherfunction as Well by extending it outward well beyond the recess to forma projecting anchor lug. Around the circumference of the retort we maylocate a plurality of such lugs, say 8 to 10, distributed at intervals.The lugs at the top and at the bottom engage, directly or indirectly,the rear faces of the horizontal bars above and below, and are held inposition against any forward movement of, or tilting stress upon, theretort. The other lugs, those on the sides of the retort, may enter andengage themasonry of the front wall of the gas bench, thereby lockingretort and brick work together. It will be seen this method ofconstruction gives a simple, rigid and permanent bond between the frontend of the retort and the front wall of the gas bench. The buckbars holdthe retaining bars in place and these in turn hold the retorts in placethrough the stated anchor lugs. A locking engagement between theretaining bars and the retorts may however be given in other ways as byproviding collars carrying special lugs or flanges; recessing the endsto carry a bar-engaging element, etc. Any way of engagement between therear faces of the horizontal retaining bars and the retort ends may beused which will enable the push of the retorts to be resisted by suchbars.

In the accompanying illustration there is shown, more or lessdiagrammatically, an

embodiment ofthe stated invention. While aretort bench having twovertical series of retorts is shown, the invention may obviously beapplied to benches carrying any number of retorts or series of retorts.In this showing- Figure 1 is a fragmentary view, partly in verticalsection (along g -y, Fig. 2) and partly in elevation, of a gas benchutilizing this invention: Fig, 2 is a fragmentary verticallongitudinalsection taken along line a1m of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a similar view of aslightly modified form; Fig. 4: is a similar view showing anothermodified form; Fig. 5 is a similar view of another form taking all thestress off the retort; Fig. 6 is a similar vantageous form of retortcollar modified to enable its use with the retaining bars; Fig. 8 is aview showing a modified structure with vertical retaining bars; Fig. 9is a central fragmental section of the same; Fig. 10 is a detail showinga T-bar used in the structure of Fig. 1; Fig. 11 is a similar viewshowing a U-bar; Fig. 12 is a similar view showing an L-bar; Fig. 13 isa view in section of a retort end or extension carrying special integralbar-engaging lugs or flanges; Fig. 14: is a section of the same alongline zz; Fig. 15 is a fragmentary view showing the engagement of ahorizontal retaining bar by two retorts such as those shown in Fig. 18;and Fig. 1G'is a fragmental sectional view of Fig. 15 along line A-A.'

In the showing of Fig. 1 the bench is provided with the usual front wall1 and arch 2. The ends 3 of retorts 4 are provided with the usualmouthpieces 5 and are provided with bolt holes 6. Through these boltholes pass bolts 7 (see Fig.2) provided at their front with nuts 8, andat their rear end being in threaded engagement with lug members 9 placedat intervalsaround the circumference of the retort, from which these lugmembers project some distance. Laid in the brickwork in the face of thefront wall of the bench are fiat horizontal retaining bars of steel,iron or any suitablemetal 10 above and below the retorts, whichat theirends pass behind vertical buckbars 11 by which they are retained inplace against any'forward thrust. As shown, each of these retainingmembers is a flat bar (although it maybe of other section) which may bethe width of a brick (see Fig. 2) and may have the thickness of a brick(see Fig. 3) or may not (as in Fig. 2). Usually and advantageously itmay be quite thin, say inch or three-quarter inch steel or the thicknessof a mortar joint. Behind it emerge the upper and lower anchor lugs oftwo superimposed retorts. As shown in Fig. 2. these flanges are locatedsome distance behind and away from the comparatively thin flathorizontal retaining member and a vertical metal shim or other member 12is used to engage the two flanges, this in turn being held in positionby the horizontal retaining member. As shown in Fig. 3, thehorizontalretaining member is sufficiently thick and is so located as to engagedirectly both the upper and lower anchor flanges. The lateral flanges 13of the retort end are simply built into the brickwork. I

In the modification of Fig. 4, instead of orificing the retort end toreceive bolts for the mouthpiece, it is simply notched to re ceive theend of a short anchor bar 11. This anchor bar passes behind theretainingbar or may be integral therewith as in using an L-shape. Through the barpasses bolt 15 to engage bracket 16 holding the door frame or mouthpiecein place.

In Fig. 5 is a modified structure to avoid notching the retort end. Bolt17 has a right angled extension 18 passing behind the retaining bar.

In Fig. 6, the structure is like that of Fig. 2 or Fig. 3 but the anchorelement instead of passing behind the retaining bar enters a notch init. This restrains movement of the mouthpiece in either direction.

In Fig. 7, is shown a moclification of a retort collar to enable anengagement with the retaining bar This collar, as shown, is of anadvantageous type enabling mutual engagement of adjacent retorts. Collar19 of a lower retort bears lug 20, while collar 21 of an upper retortbears lug 22. Pin or post 23 extends between and engages both. As shown,22 also engages a shim or bar back of the flat retaining bar. Anotherlug 24 on the top of the collar of the lower retort also bears againstthe shim or bar.

In the structure of Figs. 8 and 9, the retaining bars in lieu of beinghorizontal are vertical. The vertical retaining bars 25 are held attheir upper end by lintel or cross bar 26 to which they may be securedby brackets 27. At their base they may be similarly secured to crossbars 28. Beyond these vertical bars extend lugs 29 in the mannerindicated in Fig. 1, elements 30 being shims or the like.

In Fig. 10 instead of using a fiat retaining bar in the brickwork, aT-bar 31 may be employed. On the flange of this T-bar the mouthpiece ofthe retort may rest. Beyond it is shim 32. In Fig. 11 a U-bar 33 is employed. In Fig. 12, L-bar 34 is used. Behind it may be a shim35 toenable engagement with the lugs of the upper and lower retorts.

In the structures of Figs. 13 to 16, inclusive, the thrust of the retortis taken by a molded integral flange orlug element on the end orend-section of the retort. The retort element 36, which may be of clay,is provided with molded lugs 37 on its top and similar molded lugs 38 onits bottom. These lugs engage the rear of a cross bar (10) between tworetorts, as shown in Figs. 15 and 16. A shim 39 may be provided forgiving a better bearing surface. The usual bolts 40 for holding themouthpiece in place in these views are fastened by a special anchorelement 41 which enters through a recess in the side of the retortelement behind the lugs 38. The retaining bars in addition to theirretort-locking function also play an important part in strengthening thefront wall of the bench. As stated, though they are, or may be, of quitethin metal yet because of their location in the brickwork they presentrelatively great rigidity and oppose lateral displacement of the wall.The tensile strength of the metal resists vertical displacement and thebars distribute local stresses. All these functions are highly importantin, and add materially to the life of, a gas bench.

While the described retaining bars and cooperating anchor elements haveonly been illustrated asused in the front wall of a gas bench, it isobvious that they may also be used with equal advantage in the rear wallof a bench of through retorts.

hat we claim is 1. In a gas bench, a front wall, a pair of buckbars,horizontal metal retaining bars in said wall secured by said buckbars, aplurality of retorts in said bench and means to lock the ends of saidretorts by said bars.

2. In a gas bench, a front wall, horizontal metal retaining bars in saidwall, a plurality of retorts in said bench and meansto lock the ends ofsaid retorts by said bars.

3. In a gas bench, a front wall, a pair of transverse bars, metalretaining bars in said wall and secured by said transverse bars, aplurality of retorts in said bench and means including projecting lugmembers to lock the ends of said retorts by said retaining bars.

4. In a gas bench having a masonry wall and retorts passing through saidwall, a metal bar laid in said wall, means for securing saidbar in placeand means for locking the ends'of' said retorts by said bar.

5. In a gas bench having a front wall, a pair of vertical buckbars, anda plurality of retorts, a horizontal retaining bar in said wallextending behind said buckbars, projecting lug means attached to saidretorts located behind the rear face of said bar and means for causingengagement between said lug means and said rear face.

6. A gas bench having a horizontal retaining bar in the front wall, aretort in said bench and means conveying the forward thrust of saidretort to said bar.

7. In a gas bench provided with vertical buckbars, a horizontal barextending behind a pair of such buckbars, a retort carrying a mouthpiecesecured by bolt-pins, the boltpins extending backwardly through orificesin the front of the retort, and anchor elements engaging the ends ofsaid pins and extending laterally beyond the periphery of saidextension, certain of said anchors passing behind said bar.

8. In a gas bench having a front wall, a pair of buckbars, and a pair ofsuperimposed retorts, a horizontal retaining bar in said wall locatedbetween said retorts and extending behind said buckbars and meansconveying any forward thrust of said retorts to the rear face of saidretaining bar.

9. A gas bench having a wall provided with vertical buckbars, a pair ofhorizontal bars in said wall and flush with its front face passingbehind a pair of such buckbars, a retort in said bench,a door frame onsaid retort and secured thereto by bolt-pins rearwardly extendingtherethrough and a plurality of anchor elements engaging the ends ofsaid bolt-pins and extending laterally beyond the periphery of theretort, upper and lower anchor elements passing behind said horizontalbars and lateral anchor elements engaging wall elements.

10. In a gas bench having a Wall, a flat narrow horizontal metal barbuilt in said wall, a retort carrying a mouthpiece in said bench, andisolated metal anchor elements extending outward from said retort behindsaid bar.

11. A retort havingan end provided with rearwardly extending orificesand communicating lateral orifices, a bolt-pin in each such rearwardlyextending orifice and a metal element thread-engaging such bolt-pin andextending through the lateral orifice a substantial distance beyond thesurface of the retort to form an anchor lug.

12. In a gas bench a metal bar built in a nesses.

WILBUR G. LAIRD.

R. SHIELDS. WVitnesses for Laird: I

ETHEL MACOANNON, GLENN H. NILES.

WVitnesses for Shields:

IVIARGARET GEORGE, WILLIAM E. DYER.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

